Jetstar Japan Narita to Okinawa Review: Terminal 3, Seats, Food & Baggage Tips

We recently flew from Narita Airport to Okinawa with Jetstar Japan.

It was our first time flying with a low-cost carrier,

so we had a few concerns.

Would the seats feel too cramped?

Would we have to wait forever for our checked baggage?

In the end,

we were very satisfied with the experience.

We chose Jetstar's highest-tier fare bundle available at the time,

Shikkari Max,

and our checked baggage appeared surprisingly quickly.

On the outbound flight,

our bag was the fifth one to come out.

In this article,

I will share what I learned as a traveler in my 60s,

from navigating Narita Airport Terminal 3

to baggage collection,

boarding,

and onboard food.

If you are considering Jetstar Japan for a trip to Okinawa,

here is our firsthand experience.

Flying Jetstar from Narita to Okinawa: Terminal 3 Is Farther Than Expected

Jetstar Japan flights depart from Narita Airport Terminal 3.

It was our first time using the terminal,

and we immediately discovered one of the less convenient sides of flying LCC.

After leaving Terminal 2,

we followed a walkway with flooring that almost looked like a running track.

The walk was approximately 640 meters.

For travelers who are comfortable walking,

it may not be a problem.

But for older travelers,

people with mobility concerns,

or anyone carrying a lot of luggage,

the distance can feel tiring.

This was one of the moments when we really noticed the trade-off that can come with lower-cost air travel.

Narita Airport Terminal 3: Food Court, Shops and Check-In

This was the check-in area.

At the self-service check-in machine shown in the photo,

we printed a baggage tag for our suitcase.

After attaching the tag,

we proceeded to the baggage drop area.

Food Court at Narita Airport Terminal 3

This is the food court.

At the time of our visit,

Terminal 3 had fewer restaurants and shops than Terminals 1 and 2,

but there were still several choices,

including Japanese food and burgers.

Mamarin had a light meal at Miyatake Sanuki Udon.

A simple kake udon cost ¥390 at the time.

And then,

there was more walking along the running-track-style floor.

Buying Snacks Before Boarding

After security,

we continued walking toward the boarding gate.

There was a JETSTAR SHOP

where passengers could buy snacks,

rice balls,

bottled water,

and other items.

They also sold several popular regional Japanese sweets.

What I Wore on the Flight and Jetstar's Carry-On Baggage Tag

This was my travel outfit for the flight.

I wore a knit tunic

with EDWIN denim pants.

Jetstar was fairly strict about carry-on baggage,

and a tag was attached to our hand luggage.

It was the first airline we had flown with

where we experienced this type of baggage tagging.

Boarding Jetstar: We Walked Outside to the Aircraft

On many flights we had taken before,

passengers walked directly from the gate to the aircraft through a boarding bridge.

With this Jetstar flight,

however,

we went downstairs

and stepped outside onto the airport apron.

We then walked toward the aircraft.

We climbed the stairs

and entered the aircraft.

It was our first time walking outside on the airport apron like this,

so it actually felt quite interesting.

Because you may spend a short time outdoors during boarding,

travelers who feel the cold easily

should keep a coat or warm layer with them in winter.

Does Jetstar Japan Serve Food on Flights to Okinawa?

Because Jetstar is a low-cost carrier,

complimentary food and drink service is generally not included with the basic fare.

Depending on the fare bundle you purchase,

however,

food or drink benefits may be included.

At the time of our trip,

Jetstar Japan offered several different fare bundles.

Please note that fare names, baggage allowances and included benefits may change over time, so always check Jetstar's current conditions before booking.

Starter	Flex Biz	Chakkari Plus	Shikkari Max
Basic fare with optional extras available separately	Business-oriented fare bundle with more flexible options	Fare bundle combining several popular optional services	More comprehensive fare bundle including greater flexibility
Carry-on baggage: 7 kg	Carry-on baggage: 7 kgRefund option Standard or upfront seat Booking changes Flexible fare conditions	Carry-on baggage: 7 kgEligible for JAL miles Standard seat Onboard voucher / inflight meal deal Booking changes Checked baggage: 10 kg	Carry-on baggage: 7 kgEligible for JAL miles Standard, upfront or extra-legroom seat Onboard voucher / inflight meal deal Booking changes Refund option Checked baggage: 30 kg

We traveled during winter,

when influenza and other illnesses were circulating,

so we wanted more flexibility in case our plans changed.

For that reason,

we chose the Shikkari Max fare bundle available at the time.

It included food and drink benefits on our flight.

Passengers on other fares could also purchase food and drinks separately.

I chose apple pie and coffee.

The coffee was from KEY COFFEE.

A snack combo was also available.

We Also Ate Snacks Bought Before Boarding

During the flight,

we also ate Oshidori Milk Cake,

which we had purchased before boarding.

Despite the name,

it is not really a soft cake.

It is a crunchy,

sweet Japanese milk snack

with a rich milky flavor.

Our Checked Baggage Arrived Surprisingly Fast

We chose the highest-priced fare bundle available during our trip,

Shikkari Max,

and something unexpected happened at baggage claim.

On our outbound flight,

our suitcase was approximately the fifth bag to arrive.

On the return trip,

it was around the tenth.

We did not have to spend much time waiting at baggage claim.

Because our baggage appeared so quickly at Naha Airport,

we were able to catch an earlier shuttle bus than expected.

That meant arriving at our hotel in Onna Village sooner

and making better use of our travel day.

Final Thoughts: Tips for Flying Jetstar Japan to Okinawa

If you are flying Jetstar Japan for the first time,

here are the main things we learned from our trip.

Allow extra time for Narita Terminal 3

Terminal 3 involves a fair amount of walking,

so arriving earlier than you think you need to

can make the experience much more relaxed.

Jetstar vs Peach Aviation

In terms of the flight itself,

we did not feel a major difference in comfort compared with Peach Aviation.

For us,

Peach was slightly easier to access at Narita

because of the terminal location we used.

On this Jetstar trip,

however,

the unexpectedly quick baggage collection was a major advantage.

Overall,

our first Jetstar Japan experience was much more comfortable than we had expected,

and it worked well for our Okinawa trip.